Foodland in Hawaii Kai Closing?

By A. Kam Napier

Published: 2011.06.20 09:23 AM

We know we have a lot of readers in Hawaii Kai who might be interested in this. Apparently, Foodland has suddenly announced that it will close its Koko Marina location on July 10. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has a little more on the announcement here.

What’s it all about? Is Foodland simply playing hardball in lease negotiations? Is the landlord being unreasonable? Maybe there will be some answers tomorrow night. According to a press release we received this afternoon, area Rep. Gene Ward and state Sen. Sam Slom will hold a public town hall tomorrow night (Tuesday, June 21), at Kaiser High School, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., with people from Foodland and Koko Marina in attendance. It’s open to the public. Sounds like the place to be if you’re feeling some grocery angst.

One thing we do know: As Hawaii Kai has added housing developments in recent years, parking at the area’s Safeway and Costco has gotten pretty hairy. If Foodland really closes, that parking will be miserable.

On the other hand, we can’t go a week without hearing someone say they wish Honolulu had a Trader Joe’s. Maybe an empty supermarket space in a foodie neighborhood is just the opening that chain needs.